Saratoga News

Donald Wolfe: one city, one district.

Resolution for the realignment of the boundaries sparks debate

Many representatives say all the facts aren't in yet

Community is divided

By Michelle Alaimo

In what some residents are calling an "irresponsible, hasty and premature" decision, the City Council passed a resolution supporting the realignment of school district boundaries. Councilmembers Jim Shaw, Don Wolfe and Stan Bogosian voted in favor of the resolution, while Mayor Gillian Moran opposed it; Councilmember Paul Jacobs was absent.

The council's decision came after some 50 residents in a standing-room-only crowd of nearly 175 voiced their opinions on the resolution, with many of them--including the Saratoga Union School District board--asking the council to wait until all the facts from the Santa Clara County Committee on School District Reorganization study were in.

Just two weeks ago, another packed house demanded that the council take a stand. At that time, Councilmember Paul Jacobs said, "Us simply passing a resolution does not add anything to the solution."

Other councilmembers had mixed opinions. But Vice Mayor Don Wolfe suggested, "I think it's time for the city to say 'one city, one district.' "

The resolution, passed at the Oct. 7 council meeting, states, " The City Council of the city of Saratoga hereby resolves that it supports the realignment of school district boundaries in the city of Saratoga so that all Saratoga children can learn and grow together in schools that reflect the common values of the community."

Councilmembers listed numerous reasons for their action, including these:

* "All Saratoga schoolchildren deserve the highest-quality education."

* " Saratoga has a myriad of elementary and high school district boundaries which are confusing and frustrating for many Saratogans and artificially divide the community."

* "[The council] recognizes the value of its residents who feel strong attachments to the Saratoga community" and "favors school district boundaries that are as broadly inclusive of all Saratoga residents as possible."

* "School district boundaries serving the entire city of Saratoga would greatly enhance the city's ability to communicate with schools and parents and to cooperate on joint projects with schools."

Defending their decision, Councilmember Jim Shaw said, "I think it's important ... that [the county committee] have the expression of this city." He added that the resolution is just one step in a long process.

"Saratoga children should be able to go to Saratoga schools," Wolfe said, adding that the resolution was made out of a sense of community, and that is why he supports it.

Mayor Moran was the only council-member who said passing the resolution would be a premature decision because while she said she supports a sense of community, she needed answers to questions brought up by residents.

Many questions were addressed to the council, such as: What happens to the residents of Monte Sereno who attend Saratoga schools? What effect will a K-12 district have on class sizes? Where will Saratoga High School students go to use athletic fields and the auditorium? What about the quality of education? Are there enough schools to support all the students? What is the financial impact?

While some residents urged the council to pass the resolution, many others told the council it should hold off passing the resolution for "one city, one district" until the county committee's study was completed.

Argonaut School PTA President Charlotte Sparacino said, "What might be nice might not always be practical and feasible. The council cannot pass a resolution for or against school boundaries without having all the facts."

At one point, Ellen Reeves, Foothill School PTA president, asked audience members to stand up if they wanted the council to wait until all the facts were in before passing a resolution. About three-quarters of those in the room stood.

Even some audience members who supported the idea of the resolution asked the council to wait until the facts were in.

But in a telephone interview with the Saratoga News, Shaw said he did not think the move was premature. "I don't think the wording of the resolution jeopardizes factual data being gathered by the county committee consultant."

City Manager Larry Perlin said he will send a copy of the approved resolution to the county committee. The reorganization committee's consultant, Michael Winters, is scheduled to make his final report to the committee in December. The committee would then make its recommendation to the state Board of Education in February 1998. If the state board approves the recommendation, an election would be held in June or November 1999.

It is the state board that determines who is eligible to vote in the election. On the November 1997 ballot, for instance, 53 Twain Court residents will vote on whether they want to become part of the Saratoga attendance area. The decision that just this "affected" segment be allowed to vote was made by the state board.

If the scenario is approved by voters, the earliest any changes would take effect is July 1, 2000.

[ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ]